DID YOU READ

All’s Disquiet on THQ’s “Homefront”

This week, after months of hype and a multimillion advertising blitz, “Homefront” finally landed on store shelves everywhere. Much has been made of the game’s provocative premise, which has the United States being invaded by an exponentially more aggressive North Korea in a decade’s time. Add in the fact that legendary screenwriter John Milius (“Red Dawn,” “Apocalypse Now”) contributed to the story and people were expecting a gut-wrenching, red-blooded shoot-em-up of the first order. It rang up 200,000 in pre-orders, not a shabby number for a new IP in these uncertain times.

Except that “Homefront” isn’t that. Oh, it’s okay. The multiplayer portions set up massive, chaotic battles and have won nods for their quality. However, in the single-player campaign, lackluster shooting gameplay finds an unwelcome partner in narrative that values shock over character development. But the world-building is superb, floating the consequences of a horrible event all around you and making you want to play–that is, to say get revenge–in ways that the narrative and mechanics do not. The problems muddy up what’s enticing about the game.

Many critics agree that “Homefront” is a middle-of-the-road experience and their opinions got pulled into Metacritic, generating a Metascore of 72 for the game. Here’s where things get dramatic. That score caused THQ’s stock price to plummet more than 20%, from $5.94 to $4.69 per share. Yet, THQ issued a press release yesterday asserting that “Homefront” moved 375,000 copies at retail, a number that they’re pleased with. This comes after earlier statements by execs that the game would have to sell 2 million to break even.

It’ll likely take a month or two before the verdict gets delivered on just how successful “Homefront” is. But, it’s ironic that game centered on a sociopolitical clash has generated a battle of dueling narratives. Is it a success or not? Did it go too far or not far enough? Will it have a negative effect on THQ or bolster its efforts to grow new franchises? Of course, some of these answers can only come from corporate decision-makers. It’ll be enlightening, however, to see if THQ does move on with the purported sequel if “Homefront” doesn’t wind up being a blockbuster hit.

Whips, Chains and Hand Sanitizer

Jenny Jaffe has a lot going on: She’s writing for Disney’s upcoming Big Hero 6: The Series, developing comedy projects with pals at Devastator Press, and she’s straddling the line between S&M and OCD as the creator and star of the sexyish new series Neurotica, which has just made its debut on IFC’s Comedy Crib. Jenny gave us some extremely intimate insight into what makes Neurotica (safely) sizzle…

IFC: How would you describe Neurotica to a fancy network executive you met in an elevator?

Jenny: Neurotica is about a plucky Dominatrix with OCD trying to save her small-town dungeon.

IFC: How would you describe Neurotica to a drunk friend of a friend you met in a bar?

Jenny: Neurotica is about a plucky Dominatrix with OCD trying to save her small-town dungeon. You’re great. We should get coffee sometime. I’m not just saying that. I know other people just say that sometimes but I really feel like we’re going to be friends, you know? Here, what’s your number, I’ll call you so you can have my number!

IFC: What’s your comedy origin story?

Jenny: Since I was a kid I’ve dealt with severe OCD and anxiety. Comedy has always been one of the ways I’ve dealt with that. I honestly just want to help make people feel happy for a few minutes at a time.

IFC: What was the genesis of Neurotica?

Jenny: I’m pretty sure it was a title-first situation. I was coming up with ideas to pitch to a production company a million years ago (this isn’t hyperbole; I am VERY old) and just wrote down “Neurotica”; then it just sort of appeared fully formed. “Neurotica? Oh it’s an over-the-top romantic comedy about a Dominatrix with OCD, of course.” And that just happened to hit the buttons of everything I’m fascinated by.

Jenny: You can use any of their locations but you’ll always forget you have a membership and in a year you’ll be like “jeez why won’t they let me just cancel?”

IFC: Mouths are gross! Why is that?

Jenny: If you had never seen a mouth before and I was like “it’s a wet flesh cave with sharp parts that lives in your face”, it would sound like Cronenberg-ian body horror. All body parts are horrifying. I’m kind of rooting for the singularity, I’d feel way better if I was just a consciousness in a cloud.

Thoughts like those are normal. After all, we tend to remember lasting psychological trauma more vividly than fleeting joy. But if you dig deep, you’ll rediscover that the ’90s gave us so much to fondly revisit. Consider the four pillars of true ’90s culture.

Boy Bands

We all pretended to hate them, but watch us come alive at a karaoke bar when “I Want It That Way” comes on. Arguably more influential than Brit Pop and Grunge put together, because hello – Justin Timberlake. He’s a legitimate cultural gem.

Man-Child Movies

Adam Sandler is just behind The Simpsons in terms of his influence on humor. Somehow his man-child schtick didn’t get old until the aughts, and his success in that arena ushered in a wave of other man-child movies from fellow ’90s comedians. RIP Chris Farley (and WTF Rob Schneider).

Teen Angst

In horror, dramas, comedies, and everything in between: Troubled teens! Getting into trouble! Who couldn’t relate to their First World problems, plaid flannels, and lose grasp of the internet?

Mainstream Nihilism

From the Coen Bros to Fincher to Tarantino, filmmakers on the verge of explosive popularity seemed interested in one thing: mind f*cking their audiences by putting characters in situations (and plot lines) beyond anyone’s control.

Feeling better about that walk down memory lane? Good. Enjoy the revival.

DVDs are the new Vinyl

In this crazy digital age, sometimes all we really want is to reach out and touch something. Maybe that’s why so many of us are still gung-ho about owning stuff on DVD. It’s tangible. It’s real. It’s tech from a bygone era that still feels relevant, yet also kitschy and retro. It’s basically vinyl for people born after 1990.

Inevitably we all have that friend whose love of the disc is so absolutely repellent that he makes the technology less appealing. “The resolution, man. The colors. You can’t get latitude like that on a download.” Go to hell, Tim.

Yes, Tim sucks, and you don’t want to be like Tim, but maybe he’s onto something and DVD is still the future. Here are some benefits that go beyond touch.

It’s Decor and Decorum

With DVDs and a handsome bookshelf you can show off your great taste in film and television without showing off your search history. Good for first dates, dinner parties, family reunions, etc.

Forget Public Wifi

Inter-not

Internet service goes down. It happens all the time. It could happen right now. Then what? Without a DVD on hand you’ll be forced to make eye contact with your friends and family. Or worse – conversation.